Bedrijfsdetails

At Antwerp Management School (AMS), a triple-accredited and internationally renowned business school with its roots and main branch in the bustling heart of Antwerp, both young and experienced professionals are supported and guided in their quest for healthy growth and sustainable professionalization to create impact as an individual, a business team, a company, or an organization.

We are a dynamic, innovative and customer-oriented organization, driven by an enthusiastic team. Our faculty experts and employees make every effort to offer our customers permanent learning experiences by sharing their state-of-the-art expertise and relevant insights that really matter in daily practice. Click here to get a taste of the atmosphere on campus.

Would you like to join our research community?

We are looking for a (Junior) Researcher in Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Ecosystems, with the option to pursue a PhD in collaboration with the University of Antwerp.

Functie

As a Junior Researcher, you will join the Comptence Center Innovation and Transformation of Antwerp Mangement School. You will also be part of the Antwerp Centre for Entrepreneurship Research (https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/research-groups/antwerpcer/), a joint research center of AMS and the University of Antwerp, hosting around 20 researchers active in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Your responsibilities include:

Research & Project Execution

• Contribute to the execution of applied research projects in entrepreneurship, innovation and ecosystem development.
• Conduct qualitative and/or quantitative research (interviews, desk research, surveys, case analyses, field experiments…).
• Support the creation of project deliverables including reports, frameworks, tools, case studies and policy recommendations.
• Collaborate with companies, ecosystem partners and public stakeholders.
• Potential to design and lead your own research trajectory in preparation for a PhD.

Knowledge Sharing & Ecosystem Engagement

• Contribute to thought leadership through articles, blogs, events, and workshops.
• Help strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem around AMS and the University of Antwerp.
• Participate in project meetings, dissemination activities and academic/industry events.

Our Research Topics

You will contribute to research and knowledge creation in areas such as:

• Entrepreneurial behaviour, opportunity development & early-stage venturing
• Innovation management, corporate entrepreneurship & intrapreneurship
• Entrepreneurial ecosystems & regional collaborative innovation structures
• Digital entrepreneurship and technology-driven business model innovation
• Start-up, scale-up and SME growth support
• Action-learning and living-lab methodologies to strengthen entrepreneurial impact

You will support and help deliver a portfolio of applied research projects connected to AMS’s mission to create societal and economic impact.

Profiel

We welcome applicants who are passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation, and who are eager to grow within an academic and applied research environment.

You have:

• A Master’s degree in Applied Economics, Business Engineering, Sociology, Public Administration, Psychology, Innovation Studies, or a related social-science discipline.
• A strong interest in entrepreneurship, innovation management, ecosystems, and/or new business development.
• An analytical mindset and affinity with research methods (qualitative and/or quantitative).
• Curiosity, autonomy, and a hands-on attitude to execute research projects with multiple partners.
• Strong communication skills and fluency in English and Dutch (spoken and written).
• An entrepreneurial spirit: proactive, collaborative, and comfortable engaging with companies and stakeholders.
• 0-5 years of experience.

Nice-to-have (but not required):

• Experience with research projects, thesis work, or internships in entrepreneurship/innovation topics.
• Interest in pursuing a PhD (supported by AMS and the University of Antwerp).

Aanbod

• A full-time employment contract as (Junior) Researcher.
• The option to pursue a PhD under joint AMS–University of Antwerp supervision.
• A warm, diverse, and international work environment at one of Europe’s leading management schools.
• A high degree of autonomy and flexibility, with room for personal development and academic growth.
• A modern, sustainable workplace on the AMS campus in the center of Antwerp.
• Attractive salary package with benefits.
• The opportunity to contribute to research that creates real, societal impact, aligned with AMS's mission: “Opening minds, to impact the world.”

Interested

Send your resumé and motivation letter via this link to Hana Verstraeten.

We kindly, but firmly, urge you to provide us with a cover letter in which you state your motivation. Without, your application is considered incomplete and will be valued as such.

The topics to reflect upon in your cover letter:

• What have you accomplished so far?
• How does your candidacy for this job at AMS fit your (past and future) career journey?
• In what way have you engaged with innovation, scale-up environments and ecosystem building?
• What are/will be your challenges in executing the job successfully?
• Are there certain competencies/talents that you have, that will enable you to make a difference/impact?

We're looking forward to reading your letter and resumé.